Panthers Notes: Newton takes blame

By Richard Walker

Published: Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 11:30 PM.

Streak-snapper

It took only 46 seconds for a pair of streaks to end in Sunday’s game.

When the Panthers forced a three-and-out from the Falcons on the game’s opening possession, it marked the first time this season Atlanta hadn’t scored on its initial drive — and the first time Carolina had stopped its opponent on the opening series.

Streak-extender

When Smith caught a 27-yard first-down pass from Newton during a second-quarter scoring drive, it extended Smith’s streak of catching at least one pass to 79 games.

ATLANTA — Whenever you lose the way the Carolina Panthers did to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, there’s blame to go around.

But following the Falcons’ 30-28 victory following a 77-yard drive highlighted by a 60-yard pass from Matt Ryan to RoddyWhite, there was much discussion of the Panthers’ decision to even give Atlanta the opportunity to have the football.

It’s because Carolina was a fumble — and inches away — from Ryan never getting the chance to lead Atlanta’s final scoring drive.

Leading 28-27 with 1:51 to play and facing third-and-two at the Atlanta 46, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton appeared to have the first down on an option keeper before John Abraham’s hit forced a fumble that pushed the football backwards.

After a mad scramble in which both teams motioned they had the football, game officials ruled Carolina’s Mike Tolbert had recovered near the 44. The measurement left the Panthers inches from a first down. But after the play was reviewed by replay officials, the ball was moved back even more, making for a fourth-and-one play from the 45 – and leaving the Carolina coach Ron Rivera with a huge decision.

Rivera chose to send Newton back onto the field, but rather than running a play, Rivera vainly tried to draw the Falcons offsidesbefore the 25-second play expired for a delay of game penalty.

After the penalty, Carolina punter Brad Nortman’s 49-yard boot was downed by Kealoha Pilaresat the 1.

“If you don’t get it right there, they only have to go 30 yards to try a field goal and that’s why we decided to punt,” Rivera said of his decision. “We got the ball where we wanted on the 1 yard line. (We) couldn’t have asked for a better punt, couldn’t have asked for better coverage and we put the ball where we needed it and we gave ourselves an opportunity.”

Newton took the blame for the decision ever having to be made.

“It shouldn’t have even got to that point,” said Newton, who sat nearly motionless in a chair at his locker for 30 minutes after the contest while teammates came by to offer support. “In this league, you have to protect the football. That was a key focus going into this game. I fumbled. It’s a lot of guys that’s trusting the ballcarrier, whoever it is in any case. And I was the ballcarrierthat particular play to get the job done. I failed. I dropped the ball.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, and the fans that were watching out there because it’s a lot that goes into each and every play. I clearly had the first down, but I have got to hold onto the football.”

Happy homecoming

The defeat ruined what had been a solid homecoming for Georgia natives Newton (College Park) and Charles Johnson (Hawkinsville, University of Georgia).

Newton had 215 yards passing and two touchdowns and rushed for a team-high (and career-high) 86 yards and another touchdown. Johnson had eight tackles and 3 1-2 sacks.

Edwards sighting

After spending his first two seasons and the first three games of this year as almost strictly a return man, former Appalachian State star Armanti Edwardshade a brief but effective outing.

Edwards caught his first career pass — a 12-yarder for a first down on a third-quarter touchdown drive. And he stayed in the game as quarterback for the next play and threw an incomplete pass to Steve Smith.

Inactives

The Panthers went into the week worried about the psyche of rookie kick return specialist Joe Adams after he fumbled a punt and kickoff in the 36-7 home loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 20.

Apparently, they’re still worried as they placed Adams on the inactive list and installed Pilares as kickoff returner and Captain Munnerlynas punt returner.

It took only 46 seconds for a pair of streaks to end in Sunday’s game.

When the Panthers forced a three-and-out from the Falcons on the game’s opening possession, it marked the first time this season Atlanta hadn’t scored on its initial drive — and the first time Carolina had stopped its opponent on the opening series.

Streak-extender

When Smith caught a 27-yard first-down pass from Newton during a second-quarter scoring drive, it extended Smith’s streak of catching at least one pass to 79 games.